Show expanded after record visitors

A RURAL show which last year attracted three times its usual number of visitors has expanded to accommodate larger crowds.

Last year Reeth Show moved the date of the historic show to the August Bank holiday to compensate for a poor turnout the previous year, in 2012.

Although they had anticipated more people, nobody had expected the record number of visitors who headed into Reeth for the show that day.

Prior to 2013, the show traditionally attracted about 3,000 people, but last year rough estimates put spectators at roughly three times that amount - between 8,000 and 9,000.

Roads leading into Reeth became gridlocked for several miles as show traffic mingled with day trippers, with some motorists facing queues of up to three hours.

It is thought the rise in visitors was due to the bank holiday date, the good weather and popularity of TV shows such as The Dales.

As a result, show organisers have decided to this year expand the show, which will again take place on Bank Holiday Monday, August 25.

More car parking has been made available, to minimise queuing on the roads.

The showfield itself, in the shadow of Fremington Edge, has also been expanded. An extra field has now been added with a second ring. There will also be extra trade stands and a larger poultry marquee.

Show secretary Janet Bainbridge said they had also introduced a fast pass entrance to the showfield, to lessen potential queuing at the gates.

She said: “We are ready and prepared for the crowds.

“We are selling tickets on line which will enable you to enter the show via a fast pass entrance which will mean no queuing. So we are inviting people to go online and order their tickets in advance.”

This year’s main ring attraction will be Riders of the Storm, a Scottish equine horse display team.

The Great Fremington Edge Fell Race will be taking place, as is traditional with the show. The fixture is one of the national fell race runs.

There will also be classes for horses, sheep, poultry and rabbits, a walling competition open to entrants on the day, vintage tractors, cars and a new section for vintage motorbikes. There will also be rides, stalls, produce and refreshments.

The show will be launched as Reeth Brass Band parades through the village, headed by the show committee and judges, to finish in the showground where the band entertain the crowds for the day.